Straw condemns bomb attack at Baghdad's UN HQ

Straw condemns bomb attack at Baghdad's UN headquarters

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said he is appalled by today's "callous attack" against the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad.

"My thoughts are with the relatives and friends of those who have been killed and injured," he said.

"I condemn this outrage against the United Nations, its staff and the people of Iraq. The victims, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, are people who were dedicating themselves to helping Iraq and the Iraqi people towards a better future."

Mr Straw said it is an attack against the country, its people and the whole international community and "a further reminder of the ruthless and callous elements at large in Iraq, many of whose type were behind the Saddam regime".

He said that the government will do whatever it can to help the Coalition Provisional Authority, the Iraqi Governing Council and the Iraqi police force bring the perpetrators to justice.

"This will only reinforce our commitment to work for the peaceful, prosperous and democratic Iraq, which its people deserve."

Mr Straw also said he is writing to Kofi Annan and Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative for Iraq, to express his shock at today's events.

© Scoop Media